Bigger Than BTS?! Their Empire Crumbled, but This K-Pop Group Fought To Survive!
- lewishooper1
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
They ruled K-pop, broke all the rules...then everything exploded. We take a look at a legendary K-pop group that lost it all but never disbanded. We cover their rise and fall from grace, and what they're doing to continue their legacy today!
BIGBANG: From Icons to Idols
One outstanding and impressive aspect is that BIGBANG never officially broke up. Despite ongoing speculation since 2018, the individual members of the band have managed to launch their own solo careers, which, for the most part, have been very successful. Some K-pop fans claim that they have even helped to shape the K-pop industry that we know and love today.
This is really a strong testament to the strong dedication of their fanbase V.I.P as they like to be known, who are still hoping for a historic comeback.
Shaping the face of K-pop
Since the mid 2000s, to the early 2010s, BIGBANG managed to bring in eleven out of eighteen domestic singles, which all hit number one, at times the boys often found themselves competing with themselves because their music was so good! This motivation and strong dedication helped to change the K-pop scene forever, with many younger aspiring artists trying to follow in their footsteps.
This can be seen a lot clearer if we look at G-Dragon, who we need to thank for designing the iconic "Bang Bong" in 2006. This led to a global trend of K-pop lightsticks, which helped to put K-pop on the global radar.
If that wasn't enough another industry barrier was broke when, BIGBANG members, especially G-Dragon and Taeyang, fearlessly launched successful solo careers, paving the way for others. They were also K-Pop's pioneers on the world stage, embarking on the ambitious Alive Galaxy Tour in 2012–2013, reaching fans across North and South America. Simply put, BIGBANG didn't just play the game; they rewrote the rules.
BIGBANG: When Idols Fall From Grace
Well, sadly being in the public eye means that you are open to public scrutiny. This is for sure the case for the BIGBANG members.
After over a decade brining in lots of revenue and interest in Korean soft power culture to a global audience, BIGBANG faced a series of controversies which led their empire to come tumbling down at a very fast pace.
In 2011, Daesung was involved in a fatal car accident, though he was ultimately acquitted after the court determined the motorcyclist had died prior to the collision. Years later, in 2019, he faced renewed scrutiny when a building he owned was linked to the infamous Burning Sun Scandal, with allegations of housing illegal businesses. Meanwhile, T.O.P's career, despite a successful comeback in Squid Game, was derailed by a marijuana scandal, leading to his conviction and departure from the group.
The group's leader, G-Dragon, a reigning K-pop icon, also faced his share of legal troubles, including past marijuana use allegations, plagiarism claims for his solo hit "Heartbreaker", and accusations of preferential treatment during his military service; he was recently cleared of new drug allegations due to insufficient evidence. However, the most devastating blow came with the Burning Sun Scandal, which centered on Seungri's involvement as a director and part-owner of the controversial nightclub. This massive scandal ultimately led to Seungri's retirement from entertainment, his official departure from BIGBANG in 2019, and subsequent jail time.
Stepping up and Stepping in - BTS
BTS did not only just follow the path of their previous idols BIGBANG but they also blasted through new challenges and hurdles a long the way, especially with social media and other digital platforms in order to get a better global reach.
Their "Love Yourself" message resonated deeply worldwide, forging an emotional connection with millions of fans. Strategically conquering the Western market with chart-topping hits and Grammy nominations, BTS achieved a level of mainstream success no K-pop group had before. Ultimately, their consistent output, clean image, and profound cultural impact solidified their status as the dominant force in K-Pop's global takeover, and this is why BTS is well known globally, and in some cases, has better outreach overseas than they do in their native Korea. 2025 and 2026 will for sure see the BTS boys take back their reign, at least we think that will happen.
Let the Dojeon team know your predictions on why BIGBANG's success came tumbling down. We would love to hear from you!
Check out this article before you leave for more information about BIGBANG's infamous scandal!